Stunt Kite Plans Bibliography - Major Update, SAVE THIS!
Simo Salanne
0.0 Usenet rec.kites Stunt Kite Plans Bibliography
=====================================================================
March 1994
0.1 Update notes
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Simo Salanne <Simo.S...@csc.fi> 29 Mar 1994
There are major updates since previous posting!
0.2 Update History
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Esben Collstrup March 1994
Well, unfortunately I didn't get my USENET/Internet connection
back in February as expected, so I will still be off-line for
quite a while longer :-( :-( In the meantime I'll keep posting
this list through a member of n@r.k, thanks Simo!
As a special service to all you nice and friendly guys and girls
of rec.kites, who have provided me with so much useful
information and entertaining reading, you can contact me by
snail-mail if you need the plans from one of the magazines and
you have been absolutely unable to find the issue elsewhere.
Please only contact me as a last resort after checking: the local
kite shop, the library, The Kite Store in London and the
publisher, as we must support the various kite magazines by
buying the back-issues (or even better start subscribing!). I
will send you a photocopy of the needed plans, if you send me: a
self-addressed envelope and 2 IRC's (International Reply Coupons,
can be bought at the post office) for _each_ plan needed. My
address is:
Esben Collstrup
Groefthoejparken 163, 8.mf
DK-8260 Viby J.
Denmark
This is the March 1994 list of sources for stunt kite
construction plans/kits and books. The list has been expanded
with: 7 plans, 2 books and 2 magazines since the September 1993
version. I have also added the ISBN and publisher to some of the
books.
0.3 Index
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29 Mar 1994
0.0 Usenet rec.kites Stunt Kite Plans Bibliography
0.1 Update notes
0.2 Update History
0.3 Index
0.4 First Stunt Kites
0.5 Building First Stunt Kites
0.6 Quick reference
1.0 Kite Magazines
1.1 Drachen Magazin
1.2 Sport und Design Drachen
1.3 Kite Lines
1.4 American Kite
1.5 The Kite Builders International Journal
1.6 The Kiteflier
2.0 Plans published in kite magazines
2.1 Gale Master
2.2 Wind Shot
2.3 GX-3
2.4 Propeller
2.5 Phantom
2.6 Higher Tech Ultra Light
2.7 Hornet
2.8 Radido
2.9 Kite for kids
2.10 3/4 Cobra
2.11 Lenkdelta
2.12 High-Tech
2.13 Jet-Stream, 2fast4U
2.14 Parawing
2.15 Hunter
2.16 Tango
2.17 Success
2.18 Moskito 0.8/1.0
2.19 Delta Force
2.20 Bat
2.21 WS25
2.22 Silent Dart
2.23 Antigrav
2.24 Calypso
2.25 Parawing UL
2.26 Kalipso mini
2.27 Ex-Pow
2.28 XXL II Cedo Null 1 (what a name!)
2.29 Stuckwerk
2.30 Bi-elliptic Paraflex
2.31 Bebop
2.32 Batkite
2.33 Silentwing
2.34 Null-leiner (Zero-liner)
2.35 Be-Be-165
2.36 Bayern
2.37 Hot Sock
2.38 Dart 135T
2.39 Quadro Star
3.0 Books - containing plans
3.1 Lenkdrachen, bauen und fliegen
3.2 Neue Lenkdrachen und Einleiner, bauen und fliegen
3.3 Skywork Experience
3.4 Skywork Experience II
3.5 Stunt Kites to Make and Fly
3.6 Swept Wing Stunt Kites
3.7 Kites - A Practical Handbook
3.8 Leistungsstarke Lenkdrachen zum Nachbauen
4.0 Books - without plans
4.1 The Stunt Kite Book
4.2 Stunt Kites
4.3 Lenkdrachen-ABC
4.4 Stunt Kites Basics - Making all the right moves
4.5 Kite Precision
5.0 Books - general, with stunt kite info & plans
5.1 Sport Kite Rulebook
5.2 The Book of Kites (original British title)
5.3 Making and Flying Modern Kites
5.4 Kiteworks
5.5 The Penguin Book of Kites (or just Kites)
5.6 Kite Flight
5.7 Phantastische Drachenwelt
5.8 Kite Cookery
6.0 Suppliers - Plans & kits
99.0 Signatures
0.4 First Stunt Kites
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey C. Burka <je...@syrinx.umd.edu>
The easiest to learn beginners kite is a diamond (Powell/ trlby/
dynakite, etc) One of the biggest advantages to a single diamond
is the ease with which you can re-launch after a crash. Kiting
can become very frustrating when you have to keep walking 150' to
set up a kite. These kites also verge on indestructible.
3/4 deltas (Team/ Spin-Off/ Extreme/ El Nino/ Stinger 750/
Wizard, etc) might be good 2nd kites, but their increased speed,
both forward and turning, make them harder to learn on (though I
certainly know people who have learned on them). Their lower
pricing (usually between $75 and $130) makes them attractive to
beginners who aren't willing to dump a lot of money into a new
hobby, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're good kites for
beginners.
Full-sized deltas (Spin-Off/ Hawaiian Team/ Super Sky Dart/
Slingshot/ LiteFlite/ Phantom/ Big Brother, etc) are a fairly
good place to start, though the price can be inhibiting to a
beginner. However, there are plenty of good full-sized kites
that are good for learning on; slower air speeds, a nice tendency
to never stall, and so on.
With all of these kites, as Marty Sasaki says, it's probably best
to stay away from graphite-framed kites at first, as they are
easier to break.
0.5 Building First Stunt Kites
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Simo Salanne September 1993
I don't recommend learning to fly and learning to build at the
same time. If your first creation doesn't fly properly on first
attempts, you don't know whether the reason is in the flyer or in
the kite. However, if you decide to start stunt kiting by
building one by yourself, get a more experienced flyer to try it,
and help on tuning.
I recommend you buy the book "Stunt Kites to Make and Fly" by
Servaas van der Horst & Nop Velthuizen - see the review below.
Build a Shuttle or Standard 200. But use Glassfibre tubes in
Standard 200. You can change them to carbon, when the globe
doesn't hit your kite so often any more! Stay away from the
Speedwing (or Sputnik!) as your first home built kite.
Don't save on lines; get 65 kg (150 lb) Spectra or Dyneema from
the beginning.
0.6 Quick reference
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Simo Salanne March 1994
One of the MFAQs is:
I want to build a stunt kite like XYZ, where I can find a plan?
... and XYZ is one of the following left column items.
Right column gives the name of the book(s) to get.
Spinoff Skyworks I
Stunt Kites to Make and Fly (Standard 200)
Team Hawaiian Stunt Kites to Make and Fly (Team Light)
Skyworks I
Speedwing Stunt Kites to Make and Fly
Fire Dart Skyworks I
Flexifoil Stunt Kites to Make and Fly (Speedfoil)
Revolution Skyworks I (Speed Revolution (Rev II))
1.0 Kite Magazines
=====================================================================
Esben Collstrup September 1993
1.1 Drachen Magazin
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Esben Collstrup March 1994
All the plans in Drachen Magazin are in German and mostly easy to
follow, and most of the drawings are pretty easy to understand
(without the knowledge of German).
Drachen Magazin
Fruchtalle 13
D-20259 Hamburg
Germany
Phone: +44-40-4395667
Fax: +44-40-4395377
E-mail: r...@wi.maus.de
DM 32.00/4 issues. U.S. subscriptions available
through American Kite. $20/4 issues.
1.2 Sport und Design Drachen
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Esben Collstrup March 1994
The plans in Sport & Design Drachen are in German, and the two
plans I have seen are pretty easy to follow and understand, even
without the knowledge of German, as they have been illustrated
with drawings and photos. The magazine is bi-monthly.
Sport und Design Drachen
VTH, Verlag fur Technik und Handwerk GmbH
Postfach 2274
D-76492 Baden-Baden
Germany
Phone: +44-72-2150870
Fax: +44-72-21508752
DM 60/6 issues. DM 9/1 issue.
1.3 Kite Lines
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Esben Collstrup September 1993
"Kite Lines, Quarterly Journal of the Worldwide Kite Community"
Kite Lines is good source of kite books. Every issue contains
ordering information.
KiteLines
P.O.Box 466
Randallstown
MD 21133-0466
USA
Phone: +1-410-9221212
Fax: +1-410-9224262
$14.00/4 issues for U.S. and possessions;
$18.00 (air) elsewhere.
1.4 American Kite
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Anne Rock November 1993
American Kite
P.O. Box 699
Cedar Ridge,
CA 95924-9984
USA
Phone: +1-916-2733855
Fax: +1-916-2733319
$14.00/4 issues for U.S. and possessions; $24.00
elsewhere.
1.5 The Kite Builders International Journal
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Esben Collstrup March 1994
The Kite Builders International Journal
5555 Hamilton Boulevard
Wescosville
PA 18106
USA
Phone/Fax: +1-215-3953560
Warning! I don't think KBI/Kite Studio likes snail-mail letters,
at least they still haven't replied to the letter I mailed two
months ago (not to mention the letter I wrote for Kite Studio
five months ago), and I know a couple of other people who have
the same problem. Maybe they are more talkative if one uses a
fax?!
1.6 The Kiteflier
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Esben Collstrup September 1993
"The Kiteflier" is the quarterly magazine of The Kite Society of
Great Britain. Back issues of The Kiteflier can be bought from:
The Kite Store
48 Neal Street
London WC2H 9PA
England
Phone: +44-71-8361666
Fax: +44-71-8362510
or
The Kite Society of Great Britain,
P.O. BOX 2274
Gt. Horkesley
Colchester
Essex CO6 4AY
England
2.0 Plans published in kite magazines
=====================================================================
The quoted dimensions are flat measures, so the wingspan of the
assembled kite is mostly 10-15% less.
2.1 Gale Master
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Kite Lines Vol.8, No.1 (Summer '90)
A parachute stunter for high winds.
Diameter 122 cm (48 inch)
(minor correction in Vol.8, No.2)
2.2 Wind Shot
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Kite Lines Vol.8, No.3 (Spring '91)
An ultralight delta with a lot of battens and scalloped trailing
edge.
228 x 97 cm (90 x 38 inch)
2.3 GX-3
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Kite Lines Vol.9, No.4 (Winter '92-93)
Looks like an Action Kites Moon Dart with cambered wing.
203 x 79 cm (80 x 31 inch)
(minor clarification in Vol.10, No.1)
2.4 Propeller
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Kite Lines Vol.10, No.1 (Spring '93)
A four surface, quad-line kite shaped like: you guessed it!,
a propeller.
194 x 124 cm (76 x 49 inch)
2.5 Phantom
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Kite Builders International Journal Vol.1, Issue 1 (September '93?)
The well-known British ultralight dart.
264 x 112 cm (104 x 44 inch)
Improvement/changes to the Phantom can be found in the KBI
Journal, Vol.1, Issue 2.
Remark: I don't have this issue so the information is based on
references in a latter issue.
2.6 Higher Tech Ultra Light
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The Kite Builders International Journal Vol.1, Issue 2 (December '93)
An ultralight dart with rounded wingtips and several battens.
256 x 95 cm (101 x 37.5 inch)
2.7 Hornet
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Kiteflier No.47 (April '91)
Sort of 3/4 Spin-Off.
193 x 63 cm (76 x 25 inch)
2.8 Radido
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The Kiteflier No.50 (January '92)
Looks like a cross between a 3/4 Hawaiian Team Kite and a Team
High Fly Pro/Am. Very brief instruction.
220 x 57 cm (87 x 23 inch)
2.9 Kite for kids
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Kiteflier No.52 (July '92)
Sort of Speedwing.
134 x 41 cm (53 x 16 inch)
2.10 3/4 Cobra
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The Kiteflier No.54 (January '93)
A standard 3/4 dart. Looks very similar to an Action Kites Moon
Dart.
229 x 74 cm (90 x 29 inch)
2.11 Lenkdelta
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Drachen Magazin No.1 (September '89)
Sort of Skynasaur Aerobat.
122 x 85 cm (48 x 33 inch)
2.12 High-Tech
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Drachen Magazin No.2 (Nov/Dec. '89)
Looks like a 2/3 Spin-Off with a hint of dart-shaped trailing
edge.
176 x 85 cm (69 x 33 inch)
2.13 Jet-Stream, 2fast4U
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin No.6 (Nov/Dec/Jan. '90/91)
A delta with a low scalloped trailing edge. "Fast like a
Taifun/Hawk (German kites), turns like a Fire Dart, pulls like a
Hawaiian Team Kite, good-natured (?) like an Aerobat."
265 x 100 cm (104 x 39 inch)
Remark: the dimensions of the bridle and the position of the LE
cut-outs may be wrong!
2.14 Parawing
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin No.8 (May/June/July '91)
Sort of high aspect ratio, closed leading edge Parafoil
controlled with a bar and used for traction. This one is quite
small, 2.7 square meter, but it should be easy to enlarge.
If you want to know more about Parawings contact:
Stein Hjelland, ste...@hdata.no
270 x 100 cm (106 x 39 inch)
2.15 Hunter
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Drachen Magazin No.10 (Nov/Dec/Jan. '91/92)
Looks like an Action Kites Action 8.2 with scalloped trailing
edge.
160 x 85 cm (63 x 33 inch)
2.16 Tango
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Drachen Magazin issue 1/92 (Feb/Mar/Apr. '92)
Looks like a high aspect ratio 3/4 Hawaiian Team Kite with
scalloped trailing edge.
210 x 78 cm (83 x 31 inch)
2.17 Success
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Drachen Magazin issue 1/92 (Feb/Mar/Apr. '92)
A low aspect ratio delta with battens and scalloped trailing
edge.
160 x 90 cm (63 x 35 inch)
2.18 Moskito 0.8/1.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 1/92 (Feb/Mar/Apr. '92)
Sort of 1/2 - 2/3 Spin-Offs, made of polyethylene film (trash
bags), fiberglass rods, ramin dowels and bamboo.
134 x 68 cm/168 x 86 cm (53 x 27 inch/66 x 34 inch)
2.19 Delta Force
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Drachen Magazin issue 2/92 (May/June/July '92)
A delta without spine, but two battens and scalloped trailing
edge.
180 x 60 cm (71 x 24 inch)
2.20 Bat
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Drachen Magazin issue 2/92 (May/June/July '92)
A quadline kite shaped like the Batman logo.
187 x 92 cm (74 x 36 inch)
2.21 WS25
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Drachen Magazin issue 3/92 (Aug/Sept/Oct. '92)
A mini delta with scalloped trailing edge. Spars are made of 2 mm
(5/64 inch) carbonfiber rods.
46 x 15 cm (18 x 6 inch)
2.22 Silent Dart
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 3/92 (Aug/Sept/Oct. '92)
Sort of Action Kites Super Sky Dart with tension cord in the
trailing edge.
260 x 91 cm (94 x 36 inch)
2.23 Antigrav
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Drachen Magazin issue 3/92 (Aug/Sept/Oct. '92)
Looks like a high aspect ratio 3/4 Spin-Off with battens near the
wingtips.
180 x 66 cm (71 x 26 inch)
2.24 Calypso
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Drachen Magazin issue 4/92 (Nov/Dec/Jan. '92/93)
A delta with a low scalloped trailing edge. Higher aspect ratio
than the Jet-Stream.
250 x 81 cm (99 x 32 inch)
2.25 Parawing UL
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 4/92 (Nov/Dec/Jan. '92/93)
Outline plans for two different types of ultralight Parawings.
500 x 200 cm (197 x 79 inch)
2.26 Kalipso mini
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 1/93 (Feb/Mar/Apr. '93)
A smaller version of the Calypso.
165 x 52 cm (65 x 21 inch)
2.27 Ex-Pow
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Drachen Magazin issue 1/93 (Feb/Mar/Apr. '93)
A large delta with double scalloped trailing edge, and a wide
wind range: Beaufort 1.5 - 8. Spars are made of 10 mm carbonfiber
tubes.
312 x 132 cm (123 x 52 inch)
2.28 XXL II Cedo Null 1 (what a name!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 1/93 (Feb/Mar/Apr. '93)
Sort of large Hawaiian Team Kite. Spars are made of 10 mm
carbonfiber tubes.
324 x 150 cm (128 x 59 inch)
2.29 Stuckwerk
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 1/93 (Feb/Mar/Apr. '93)
Sort of 42 panel Team High Fly Pro/Am.
270 x 82 cm (106 x 32 inch)
2.30 Bi-elliptic Paraflex
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 2/93 (May/June/July '93)
A Paraflex (a German soft stunt kite) shaped like a Peter Lynn
Peel.
190 x 65 cm (75 x 26 inch)
2.31 Bebop
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 3/93 (Aug/Sept/Oct. '93)
A soft stunt kite, which looks very similar to a Flexifoil
Super-10 without the spar.
286 x 70 cm (113 x 28 inch)
(minor correction in issue 4/93)
2.32 Batkite
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 3/93 (Aug/Sept/Oct. '93)
A delta (not to confuse it with the quad-line Bat) with four
battens and scalloped trailing edge, silent and fast.
206 x 67 cm (81 x 26 inch)
2.33 Silentwing
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 4/93 (Nov/Dec/Jan. '93/94)
A high aspect ratio, silent sort of Super Speedwing.
213 x 64 cm (84 x 25 inch)
2.34 Null-leiner (Zero-liner)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Drachen Magazin issue 4/93 (Nov/Dec/Jan. '3/94)
Not exactly a stunt kite but the outline plans for a 1:3
Paraglider controlled by a puppet and a 2-channel RC-equipment.
312 x 90 cm (123 x 35.5 inch)
2.35 Be-Be-165
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sport und Design Drachen issue 3/93 (July-Sept. '93)
A dart with scalloped tailing edge. Looks similar to a Team High
Fly PRO/AM with a higher cut TE.
255 x 105 cm (100 x 41 inch)
Remark: I don't have this issue so the information is based on
references in a latter issue.
2.36 Bayern
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sport und Design Drachen issue 4/93 (Oct-Dec. '93)
An updated Hawaiian Team Kite: faster, silent and carbonfiber
frame. Uses air-pockets in the tailing edge to silence it.
233 x 101 cm (92 x 40 inch)
2.37 Hot Sock
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sport und Design Drachen issue 2/94 (Mar-Apr. '94)
A small delta with S-shaped TE. It has a carbonfiber rod in the
outer part of the TE to act as silencer and stand-off. Very
similar in shape, size and construction to a Far Out! Miami Cut.
Supposed to have twice the pull of a similar sized Speedwing.
132 x 52 cm (52 x 20.5 inch)
2.38 Dart 135T
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragesnoren issue 7/91
Looks like a 4/5 Team High Fly Pro/Am, but with a lower aspect
ratio. Designed as a team kite.
230 x 87 cm (91 x 34 inch)
Dragesnoren is The Danish Kite Clubs magazine. I (Esben) have an
English translation of the Dart 135T plans if anyone is
interested.
2.39 Quadro Star
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dragesnoren issue 12/92
A Rev II with curved edges. Includes the dimensions for the
handles.
187 x 58 cm (74 x 23 inch)
Dragesnoren is The Danish Kite Clubs magazine.
3.0 Books - containing plans
=====================================================================
Most of the books can be bought from either KiteLines, Drachen
Magazin or The Kite Store.
"#" is the KiteLines price
"*" is the Drachen Magazin price
"&" is the Kite Store price.
3.1 Lenkdrachen, bauen und fliegen
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Wolfgang Schimmelpfennig # US$ 13.95, * DM 19.80
The title translate to something like "Stunt Kites, Making and
Flying". It is in German, with very instructive drawings.
Contains plans for:
Various diamonds (including a Peter Powell)
Aerobat-type kite with some modifications
Sky Dart
Hawaiian Team Kite
Spin-Off
Paraflex (soft stunt kite)
At least the plans for the Hawaiian Team Kite and the Spin-Off
are slightly different from the commercial versions.
Publisher - Falken-Verlag GmbH, Postfach 1120,
D-65521 Niedernhausen/Ts, Germany
ISBN - 3 8068 1011 7
3.2 Neue Lenkdrachen und Einleiner, bauen und fliegen
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wolfgang Schimmelpfennig # US$ 14.95 (?), * DM 24.80
The title translate to something like "New Stunt Kites and
Single-liners, Making and Flying". As the other "Making and
Flying"-book by Wolfgang Schimmelpfennig, this one is in German
and with very instructive drawings. It contains six stunt kite
plans, and I think they are all designed by the author:
Solar Fire A silent, fast 3/4 dart.
Bel Air An ultralight, 4-batten, Hawaiian Maui-type
kite. Precise and with a large wind-window.
Relax II An 8' dart with a very curved LE and four
battens. Fast, tight turning and a high pull.
Scanner A sort of Hawaiian Maui with a small keel and a
"Navy Target Kite"-type rudder.
Heavy Duty A 3/4 delta with scalloped TE, keel and
winglets perpendicular to the main-sail. A high
wind kite with a high pull.
Paradox A quad-line kite which can also be flown as a
single-line kite. It looks like two 4-cell
Tetrahedron kite flown side-by-side.
The three single-line kites are: Samurai (a Genki variant),
Starflake (a facet kite), Starbird (a flat star-something kite).
Bernhard Malle, November 1993
Since a few weeks, there is a new book from Wolfgang
Schimmelpfennig available called "Neue Lenkdrachen und
Einleiner" (New Stunt Kites and Single Liners). Wolfgang has
already published one book on stunt kites, one about single
line kites and one about making kites with kids (all of them
available via the Kite Lines bookstore). The new book had
been announced for August, but has only recently appeared in
the book stores.
In his new book you can find plans for six stunt kites
(Solar Fire, Bel Air, Relax II, Scanner, Heavy Duty and
Paradox) and three single line kites (Samurai, Starflake and
Starbird). The book ressembles very much his other books:
there is an introduction, a chapter about how to be creative
with colors and forms when building kites, one chapter about
materials and techniques. The book contains a lot of nice
color pictures, but the names of the creators and kite
builders (Peter Lynn, George Peters, Peter Malinski or
Schimmelpfennig himself) are very rarely given.
The plans themselves seem to be as detailed and good as in
all the other books of Wolfgang. As I am not an expert of
stunt kites I cannot say much about the different kites.
Nevertheless I have the impression that most of them are
already well known and not really new. As Wolfgang never
mentions any inventor or original designer of the kites, I
get the impression that he has invented them all by
himself......
There is one kite that is a little bit extraordinary: the
paradox is a quadline kite. It is build like a box-kite and
consists of seven panels. Wolfgang mentions in his
description that the kite can also be used as single line
kite if you add a tail to it. It seems that Wolfgang thinks
that everyone knows, which handles to use for a quadliner,
which length of kite line and which flying technique.
The chapter about the single line kites is introduced with a
two side picture of Wolfgangs soft-kites "Big Boss" and
"Jake the Snake", two stunt kites. The Samurai is based on
an ordinary genki, but a little bit modified to better fit
for the design of a samurai. The Starflake is kind of facet
kite and if I remember right, I have seen the same design
also in a book of Jim Rowlands or Margaret Gregor. The last
plan in this book describes the Starbird. This kite is a
combination of flat star kite and an Eddy in the lower part
of the kite.The book ends with some very general tips about
tuning a kite and some safety rules.
As a conclusion I am disappointed by the book. There have
been so many advances in kite design in the last years and I
have the impression that none of them are reflected in this
book. Wolfgang, who has developed "Jake the Snake"
(softkite), a new paraflex (soft stunt kite), who seams to
be a good friend of Peter Lynn and other well known kite
builders, could have put some more effort in finding new and
interesting designs.
Publisher - Falken-Verlag GmbH, Postfach 1120,
D-65521 Niedernhausen/Ts, Germany
ISBN - 3 8068 1353 1
3.3 Skywork Experience
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Christiane Schertel # US$ 14.95, * DM 19.80
In German. Nice book with watercolour paintings instead of
photos, but it contains a couple of wrong dimensions, the
sweetpoint on some of the bridles is missing and the instructions
are a little brief, also at least the quoted wind-range of the
Fire Dart (Bft 3-7!) is much too high. These flaws could be a bit
of a problem if you have never made a stunt kite before, but
after making one or two stunt kites, this shouldn't give any
problems. The book include plans for:
Speed Revolution (Rev II)
Bantam
Spin-Off
Hawaiian Team Kite
Fire Dart
Sky Dart
Razor Blade
Jet
Hawk 150
As far as I can see the plans are exact copies of the commercial
designs (except for some of spars used).
3.4 Skywork Experience II
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Christiane Schertel # US$ 14.95, * DM 24.80
As the first "Skywork Experience"-book by the same author this
one is in German with watercolour paintings instead of photos and
is mostly a collection of plans for commercial kites. I haven't
made any stunt kites from this book yet, but it seems that the
flaws of the first book has been removed, at least all the
bridle/sweetpoint dimensions exist now and the quoted wind-ranges
seem reasonable. It contains 9 stunt kite plans:
Arrow A sort of mini Fire Dart (77 cm/30" LE).
Elegance A precise ultralight with double scalloped
TE and battens at the wingtips. It has
almost 1.5 sqm of sail on a standard full-
size frame.
Nodronte A silent, high pulling kite for light wind.
Flitz Jr. A small (100 cm/39" LE) low aspect ratio
delta for beginners. It is silenced with
mesh in the TE.
Wolkensturmer 101 A high aspect ratio 3/4 dart with double
scalloped TE and four battens. Uses a mast
at the back-side of the sail instead of the
usual two stand-offs. Very fast and tight
turning.
Hunter A sort of Action Kites Action 8.2 with
scalloped TE.
Lite Flite S A full-size delta with four stand-offs and
"serrated" TE.
Bombus A fat, wide-nosed Speedwing.
Stunt Starter A Spin-Off-type kite with a lower aspect
ratio for beginner/intermediate fliers.
The 3 single-line kite plans are: Hargrave box kite, Revolver (a
spinning box kite) and a Cody. BTW. the 6 mm carbonfiber spars
use in the Revolver can easily be replaced with 6-7 mm Ramin
dowels.
3.5 Stunt Kites to Make and Fly
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Servaas van der Horst & Nop Velthuizen # US$ 21.95, & GBP ?
Original Dutch title: "Stuntvliegers, Bouwen en Besturen"
The original is in Dutch, but it has been translated to English.
I have not read this book, so I have taken the liberty to include
what Joost Wesseling (jo...@paramount.nikhefk.nikhef.nl) wrote
about it:
Joost Wesseling:
The book mentioned above was first published in Holland in May
1991. It starts of with an extensive overview of materials to use
for building kites, discusses techniques like sewing etc. It
furthermore discusses flying stunt kites. The "build it yourself"
section contains detailed plans of 9 types of stunt kites:
1. Shuttle, a diamond type of kite, quite like an Ace or
Acroracer, easy to build and fly.
2. Speedwing, the well-known German stunter.
3. Teamlight, an ultralight Hawaiian.
4. Spin-off, well known.
5. Kwat, a peculiar design that consists of two adjacent
diamonds. It is flown with four lines, cheap and easy to
build,
6. Cicada/Gizmo, they resemble the Phantom, VERY fast and
accurate. The Cicada is somewhat larger than the Gizmo. I
have built a Gizmo and it is one of the best stunters that
I know.
7. Speedfoil, a very fast cousin of the Flexifoil.
8. Sputnik I and II, two parafoil-type models, I is used when
you need a lot of "pull", while II will fly without many
problems in a storm (I tried one in force 7 wind).
9. Dykehopper, a Dutch design which seems to be know as "the
beast" because it is very hard to build, harder to tune
properly and even harder to fly. Given its reputation I
never tried building one.
Many people in Holland use this book, together with the German
book by Schimmelpfennig, as guideline when building their own
kites. I have never spoken to anyone who was disappointed.
Publisher - THOTH Publishers
ISBN - 90-6868-052-8
Rumour:
The authors are working on a new issue of the book; or better to
say on a new book, to be issued in May 1994. Bundled with the
book there will be a stunt kite flight simulator running on a PC
- not a toy but a real tool to design individual or team
routines. (Simo Salanne, November 93.)
3.6 Swept Wing Stunt Kites
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Cottrell # US$ 10.95, & GBP 3.9
Esben:
I have not read this one either, but from postings and various
reviews I understand that it is quite a technical book, and it
includes plans for one or more stunt kites in the LiteFlite
family. I guess this means it is not exactly a beginners book.
Simo Salanne (May 93):
Although I cannot agree with all Mark says in his book (e.g.
stiffness/flexibily matters) I consider this a very good
"anatomy" book of stunt kites. Even for a flyer, who does not
build kites himself, the book gives good understanding of most
common decisions made by the designer.
The family tree of a stunt kite on the cover is very nice.
3.7 Kites - A Practical Handbook
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Moulton & Pat Lloyd # US$ 27.95, & GBP 12.95
Esben:
And yet another book I haven't read, so I can only tell what the
reviews in KiteLines and The Kiteflier said. It contains 9 stunt
kite plans (including a generic Spin-Off and a Tim Benson
Scorcher) and 11 single line plans. The layout of the book is
uneven and the text uninspiring, but it does contain a lot of
good materials. Both magazines recommend it.
Simo Salanne (May 93):
I agree that the layout is poor (in some parts) but found the
text and pictures inspiring! The chapter on 'Parachuting Fauna'
is unique and cannot be found in any other book.
Publisher - Argus House, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead,
Herts HP2 7ST, England
ISBN -1-85486-050-X
3.8 Leistungsstarke Lenkdrachen zum Nachbauen
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Rieleit # US$ 22.95, * DM 29.80
Esben:
I haven't read it (yet), so once again this is based on what
Drachen Magazin wrote. It is in German, and I think the title
translates to "Powerfull Stuntkites to Make". The book has plans
for 12 kites including three soft kites, and it contains a lot of
photos: the construction of the Taifun alone is illustrated with
31 colour photos! The profile patterns for the three soft kites
are 1:1 scale. Drachen Magazin recommends it.
Bernhard Malle:
The book is divided into five sections:
1. How to sew kites, techniques, materials and so on
2. Universal Stunt Kites
3. High Speed Stunt Kites
4. Steerable Parafoils
5. Sculpture Stunt Kites
I can't say much on the stunt kites sections, because I am no
expert in stunt kites and for me it seems that the 6 different
designs are more or less only a variation of the first design.
More interesting is the chapter about steerable parafoils. The
main difference to most existing parafoils is the use of a self-
stabilising profile. This results for example in the use of only
one bridle point on each rib of the profile (usually 3 or 4 with
parafoils, 3 with the paraflex). The next difference is the use
of less ribs, that have the whole length of the profile, but in-
between the ribs there are one or two more half ribs. This should
result in less work for cutting out ribs, but nevertheless a good
profile of the kite in the forward region.
So far, so good.
But there is still the last chapter with three plans for
sculpture stunt kites. Think of the frog or the octopus by Peter
Lynn, if you don't know what is meant by sculpture kite. The most
spectacular kite of the complete book hides in the last 4 pages:
a "super-fly". I am sure most of you have already seen the
super-fly, at least on a picture, or if you have the book of Ron
Moulton and Pat Lloyd, have a look on page 68, there you can find
a drawing of the beast. Each wing has a span of 3m (9'), the tail
has a length of 15m (45')! If you consider building it yourself
(like me), first think of how you can afford about 65m(~80yds) of
ripstop...... :-)
Publisher: Otto Maier, Ravensburg
ISBN: 3-473-42286-X
4.0 Books - without plans
=====================================================================
September 1993
The following books don't contain any plans but other types of
stunt kite related information like: how and where to fly, how
select a stunt kite and lines, etc.
4.1 The Stunt Kite Book
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Alison Fujino & Benjamin Ruhe # US$ 8.95
"The Stunt Kite Book", # US$ 8.95
by Alison Fujino & Benjamin Ruhe
I think one version of the book is sold with a small stunt kite
kit. The chapter on flying technic is pretty basic and the
organisation of the book a bit confusing, but it does includes
the history of some well-known commercial stunt kites and persons
which I haven't seen in other books. The book also includes a
stunt kite chart, but the quoted wind range on some of the kites
is questionable (examples: ultralight Spyro-Jet: 4-40 MPH,
Revolution I: 3-40 MPH).
4.2 Stunt Kites
---------------------------------------------------------------------
David Gomberg # US$ 8.95, & GBP 7.95
The layout of this book looks like it was done with a simple
wordprocessor and the graphics look like screen-dumps (at least
the first edition does). But if you can abstract from the rough
look then it is an excellent book packed with all kinds
information about stunt kite flying. Among the information are
tips from various well-known kiteflyers. A highly recommendable
book. I think it is in its fourth edition.
4.3 Lenkdrachen-ABC
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. H.E. Rocker * DM 19.80
I haven't read this one either but from the review in Drachen
Magazin it seems to be very similar to "Stunt Kites!", only this
one is in German.
4.4 Stunt Kites Basics - Making all the right moves
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard P. Synergy # US$ 15.95, * DM 39.80
I haven't read it so once again the following is based on a
Drachen Magazin review. The book doesn't exactly begins with
"Adam and Eve" (the very beginning for the non-Christian reader)
but neither does it expect competition experience. It contains
information about all aspects of stunt kite flying, like: tips,
tricks, knots and bridle tuning, etc. and as the title says also
figure-flying. As something new, the horizontal and vertical
dimensions of the figures are shown relative to the length of the
flying lines. And some good news for us who don't have English as
our primary language: it is written in easy-to-understand English
with short sentences and simple words.
4.5 Kite Precision
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Reich USD 14.94
"KITE Precision" Your Comprehensive Guide For Flying
Controllable Kites authored by Ron Reich. The book is 184
pages, with 153 photos, and 121 diagrams. A good instruction
book for Individuals and Teams at the Beginner, Intermediate
and Advanced levels. The main presentation is illustrated
with the Griffin delta kite, separated dedicated sections
are presented for the Flexifoil Kite, and the Revolution
Kite. The book also includes 3 completely choreographed
routines. 1 each for individuals, pairs, and 4 person
teams. Unique stunts for 3 person teams are also diagramed.
ISBN 0-9636010-2-8 $14.95 US Softcover
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 93-61552
Tutor Text, Ramona USA
Table of Contents:
------------------
1. Setting Up To Fly
- Delta Kite Parts
2. Posture
3. Safety
4. Straight Line Flight
- Test For Equal Lenght Fly Line
- Wind Window
5. Basic Launching and Landing
6. The 4 Fundamental Turns
7. Speed Control
8. Leading Edge Launch
- Leading Edge Landing
9. Tip Stand
- Walking The Kite
- Tip Drag
10. Nose Down Launch
- Turtle Launch
11. Wrapped Flip Launch
-Pasting
12. Flying The Shadow
13. Dog-Stake Flying
14. Multiple Kite Control
- 2 kites
- 3 kites
- 5 kites
15. Selecting A Kite
16. Flexifoil
- The Flexi-Flip
- The Flexi-Float
17. Revolution
- Side Slide
- Slow Motion Revolution
- 3-D FLying
18. Team Flying Basics
- Preparatory Command
- Execution Command
- Basic Turns
- Box Formation
- Diamond Formation
- Star Burst
- Flying The Space
19. Team Warm-Up
- Hazards to Your Kite and Strings
20. Building a routine
21. Classes and Degree of Difficulty for Teams Stunts
- Diagonal Thread
- T-Bone
- Weave
- Arrowhead
- Compound Wrap
- Sequential Fly-around
- Time Clock
22. Couples
23. How To Tie Birdle and Train Lines
24. Setting Up New Lines
25. Troubleshooting
26. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (Individual Routine)
27. Chariots Of Fire (Pairs Routine)
28. 3-Person Team (Stunts)
- Fountain
- Boomerang
- Razzle Dazzle
- Robin Hood
29. The Greatest Love Of All (Team routine)
Glossary
Index
Review by Simo Salanne, January 1994:
1st part (?) of the long awaited "bible" is here! This is
definitely the most valuable guide to a beginning sport kite
flyer. I believe there are not many fliers in the whole
world, who could not learn more from this excellent book.
E.g. the systematic classification and degree of difficulty
are topics, which are unique to this book.
The book has a lot of photographs and diagrams, which
illustrate the text and makes understanding easier. Ron's
uncomplicated style of writing is a pleasure to read.
Highly recommended!
The book does not contain any stunt kite plans, it's devoted
to flying.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Review by Marty Sasaki, March 1994
First the disclaimer: I consider Ron a friend (he considers me a
friend, we've conversed both in person and via email, but I haven't
seen him naked, so that's 4 kite purity points ;-). He has helped me
and my team on numerous occasions.
The short review: Buy the book. It is full of solid descriptions and
good photographs and drawings. When you buy it, tell them that I sent
you.
The long(er) review:
The book begins with detailed descriptions of setting up a kite,
posture, safety, and basic flying. The description of the different
types of turns and speed control then follow. In my opinion, these two
chapters are worth the price of the book.
There are sections that describe in detail several tricks and utility
moves, including leading edge and nose down launches. Sections on
dog-stake flying and multiple kite flying are also clear and easy to
understand.
There are sections that talk about the Flexifoil and Revolution kites.
I especially like the team flying sections and the discussion of some
of the stunts. One part titled, "Flying the Space", will be required
reading for Storm Front members.
There are 3 complete ballet routines (an individual, a pairs, and a
4-person team).
The many photographs and drawings really help with showing how things
are done. The text is clear and would be useful even without the
graphics.
There are a few things missing: I would have liked to see a discussion
about the speed of doing moves, i.e. snapping turns can be radically
different than easing turns. The excellent discussion about geometry
and team flying that rec.kites readers saw is missing from the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in flying dual line
delta stunt kites. It will open the eyes of novices. More experienced
flyers will benefit from the philosophy and way of thinking about
flying.
5.0 Books - general, with stunt kite info & plans
=====================================================================
The following is a list of books which mostly contain plans for
single line kites, but also have one or two stunt kite plans:
5.1 Sport Kite Rulebook
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Brooks Leffler <kyt...@aol.com> Tue, 3 Aug 1993 19:22:19 -1000
Available NOW! Ten months in the making! Longer, lower, wider!
At long last, the 56-page Third Edition of the International
Sport Kite Competition Rules is available. We're no longer
dating the book (e.g. "1993 Edition") and it should no longer be
mislabeled the "STACK Rules". Indeed, STACK had input and
approved the final draft, but the AKA Sport Kite Committee wrote
it, and we thought it less confusing to delete all references in
the title to the organizations that may use it.
Although there are no new figures, procedures have been clarified
and the book has been enlarged through the addition of more
complete job descriptions, field setup guidelines, and judging
criteria. Lots of sample forms.
AKA member price US$5.00; non-members $7.50, both postage paid in
US; add US$2.00 for postage outside North America. Quantity
pricing above 5 copies, plus shipping.
I have lots and lots of them and will take these forms of PRE-
(please)-payment: Visa/MasterCard, cash, check, or money order,
payable to AKA. No Canadian cheques, plz.
Brooks Leffler AKA. Internet: kyt...@aol.com
5.2 The Book of Kites (original British title)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul & Helene Morgan # US$ 19.95, & GBP 10.99
"The Ultimate Kite Book" (US title),
The stunt kite in this book is shaped like a standard dart stunt
kite but build like the Trlby/Ace/Acro-Racer diamond stunt kite.
It is an excellent first stunt kite: cheap and very easy to make,
durable, and in my opinion it fly better than the mentioned
diamond kites. Actually if people shows an interest in stunt
kites I usually give them the plans for this kite. There is one
"error" in the instructions: _4 mm_ fiberglass rod is the right
spar to use, not 1/4 inch fiberglass rod.
5.3 Making and Flying Modern Kites
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Rowlands
"The Big Book of Kites" (US title)
This book contains three plans for simple stunt kites, including
a Trlby/Ace/Acro-Racer diamond-type stunt kite.
Publisher - St. Martin's Press (US); Dryad Press (UK,
ISBN - US book 0-312-02047-3
5.4 Kiteworks
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Maxwell Eden # US$ 14.95, & GBP 10.99
This book includes plans for a delta-type stunt kite, but I
understand from various postings that the plans contains a lot of
errors.
Publisher - Sterling Publishing Co., NY NY
distributed in Australia by Capricorn Ltd
P.O. Box 665, Lane Cove, NSW 2066
ISBN - 0-8069-6712-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 0-8069-6713-7 (paperback)
5.5 The Penguin Book of Kites (or just Kites)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
David Pelham # US$ 12.95, & GBP 8.99
There are plans for a Peter Powell-type stunt kite in this book.
5.6 Kite Flight
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack Botermans & Alice Weve
"Vliegers maken" (original Dutch title)
This book also contains plans for a Peter Powell-type stunt kite,
but I will not recommend trying to make it from these
instructions.
5.7 Phantastische Drachenwelt
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Wolfgang Schimmelpfennig # US$ 31.95, * DM 49.00
In German. It contains the 1:1 pattern for a Relax stunt kite
(and three single line kites, including Martin Lester's Legs).
The Relax is a 3/4 dart with six battens.
Publisher - Falken-Verlag GmbH, Postfach 1120,
D-65521 Niedernhausen/Ts, Germany
ISBN - 3 8068 4513 1
5.8 Kite Cookery
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Don Dunford # US$ 3.95, & GBP 2.50
"Kite Cookery", # US$ 3.95, & GBP 2.50
by Don Dunford
Includes the plans for The Pocket Money Kite, a very
cheap'n'dirty Eddy-type stunt kite made from a trash bag and two
wooden dowels.
6.0 Suppliers - Plans & kits
=====================================================================
Esben Collstrup March 1994
Individual construction plans can also be bought from:
Drachendompteur Elliot
Alt Nied 4-6 Schulstrasse 30
D-6000 Frankfurt-Nied 80 D-46487 Wesel-Buderich
Germany Germany
Phone: +44-69-382021 Phone: +44-28-034035
Fax: +44-61-9225956 Fax: +44-28-038218
The price is DM 6 - DM 10 each, and they have plans (in German)
for the following kites: Jet, Hawk, Hawk 150, Bronto, Bronto
Gross (sort of very large Aerobat), Razor Blade, Spin-Dart,
Hawaiian Team Chevron, 3/5 (!) Hawaiian Team, Spin-Off, Fire
Dart, Sky Dart, No Na Me, Revolution, Speed Revolution (Rev II),
Phantom, Bantam, Spyro Jet Freestyle.
Kaskade Flic Flac
Toosbuystr. 13 Nansensgade 47
D-2390 Flensburg DK-1366 Copenhagen
Germany Denmark
Phone: +44-46-117395 Phone: +45-33 93 04 43
Fax: +44-46-117330 Fax: +45-33 93 83 15
Kaskade/Flic Flac sells the plans for the HQ Kites: Mini Dart,
Run Dart, Silent Dart, Elektron, Batkite, Whisper. The plans are
in German and very detailed and with a lot of drawings. Price
about DM 6/DKK 29.
Jaco design & engineering (new address since Nov. 1993)
Alpsteinstr. 10
CH-8590 Romanshorn
Switzerland
Phone: +41-71-674641
Fax: +41-71-671343
Jaco sells the plans (with 1:1 patterns) for their own kites: two
full-size darts (245 cm), one 3/4 (195 cm) and a small one (size
unknown). The price is DM 20 - DM 40.
Jaco design also sells their kites as kits, both as assembly kits
(prices: DM 195 - DM 565(!)) and as construction kits (prices: DM
155 - DM 385). And, of course, Jaco sells "Jaco connectors"
(minimum order 50 pcs).
Phoenix Drachen Manufaktur
Liebigstr. 9-11
D-52070 Aachen
Germany
Phone: +44-241-962001
Fax: +44-241-166116
Phoenix sells detailed plans (in German) for the following kites:
Jet, Hawk 115, Hawk 150, Bronto, Manta (sort of very large
Aerobat), Razor Blade, Spin-Dart, Hawaiian Team Chevron, 3/5 (!)
Hawaiian Team, Spin-Off, Fire Dart, Sky Dart, NoNaMe, Revolution
I, Speed Revolution (Rev II), Revolution 275 (275 cm wingspan),
Skyracer-Mini, Sport Phantom, Phantom, Bantam, Spyro Jet
Freestyle, Silent Fire Dart, Elektron. The prices are 5 - 9 DM.
Phoenix also sells outline plans with all the important
dimensions for the following kites: Antigrav, Spectrum Dart,
Silvaplana Jet Streamer (Jet-Stream), Wolkensturmer 101,
Wolkensturmer 102, Force 10, Spyro Jet, Jet, Spectre, North Shore
Radical, North Shore Extreme, Silent Dart, Speed-Taifun. The
price is 2 DM. And they also sell plans with a 1:1 pattern for:
Hunter and Flexifoil (6 feet Stacker, 8 feet Pro Team and an odd
size 230 cm Flexi). Price 4 or 5 DM.
The plans for the Be-Be-165 dart from Sport und Design Drachen is
also sold by the magazine with a 1:1 pattern. For the address and
description of the Be-Be-165 see the magazine plans section.
Price DM 21.
And somewhere on the rec.kites archive you will probably be able
to find the plans for the Woody. The Woody is a small (71 x 38
cm, 28 x 15 inch) triangular, easy and cheap-to-make stunt kite
with 6 mm ramin dowel spars, and it is made for stacking.
Construction kits can be bought from:
HANNAH im Drachenland
S. Schonberg GbR
Konigstor 34-36
D-34117 Kassel
Germany
Phone: +44-561-14235
Fax: +44-561-779518
They expand the range all the time, but at the last count they
were selling kits for the following kites: Chicago Fire Bee,
Colibry, Jet-Stream, Jet-Stream Mk.2, Wasp (Wind Walker, not Tim
Benson), North Shore Radical, North Shore Extreme, Hawaiian Team
Kite, Spin-Off, Fire Dart, Phantom Mk.2, Big Brother, Big Brother
Mk.2, Revolution I, Flash Angel, Scorpion, Check-Mate,
Competition Edge. The prices are mostly in the range DM 140-180.
Hang-em High Fabrics
1420 Yale Avenue
Richmond
VA 23224
USA
Phone: +1-804-233-6155
Fax: +1-804-233-6155/99
Hang-em High sells one kit: Stunt Kit Kite, a 3/4 dart in partly
the colours of your choice, price $50.
99.0 Signatures
=====================================================================
Esben Collstrup, Simo Salanne March 1994
May your lines never tangle and your sewing machine never get
stuck.
Esben
Smooth Winds
Simo
--
Simo.S...@csc.fi STACK Finland